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SWA’s main policy recommendations:
1. Governments and other development partners should increase investment in the enabling environment – better institutions, better systems for the delivery, operation and maintenance of water and sanitation services to ensure that no-one is left behind.
2. Countries must develop sustainable sources of financing, and not be dependent on volatile sources of funding that cannot be relied on in the long-term. This may include ensuring that tariffs paid by households are increased in some situations, while respecting the principle of affordability.
3. Invest in improving water and sanitation services levels for those who are poorest, those who are most vulnerable and excluded from mainstream society. The SDGs demand that governments and development partners aim for the best solution for all people, not the perfect solution for a few. This will require targeting investments in rural areas and in informal settlements in urban areas.
4. Governments, development agencies and partnerships should improve accountability mechanisms, including legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks, so that consumers are able to hold service providers and other stakeholders, including government officials, to account for the services that are provided.
5. Ensure monitoring includes the disaggregation of data, so that it is easier for those responsible to tailor solutions to people who lack services.
6. Increase the engagement of all stakeholders in making decisions about issues that affect their lives, recognising that partnership between all relevant stakeholders is central to progress on achieving the SDGs. There are better outcomes when more control is put into the hands of the individuals and groups who are to benefit from any intervention.
What is the Sanitation and Water for All global partnership
SWA is a global partnership of over 170 country governments, private sector and civil society organizations, external support agencies, research and learning institutions and other development partners working together to catalyse political leadership and action, improve accountability and use scarce resources more effectively. Partners work towards a common vision of sanitation, hygiene and water for all, always and everywhere.
How do water and sanitation contribution to the eradication of poverty and promotion of prosperity?
Water and sanitation are indispensable for the eradication of poverty and promotion of prosperity in this changing world. While the 2017 HLPF does not specifically name SDG 6 on water and sanitation, water and sanitation are central to achieving the SDGs under review and others.
Access to water, sanitation and hygiene promotes economic development for the individual, household and society, thus being key to ending poverty (SDG 1). A lack of sanitation alone costs the global economy 222.9 billion USD every year2.
Inequalities in access to water and sanitation lead to poorer outcomes for everyone. Better sanitation, safe water and good hygiene practices are crucial to addressing malnutrition and combatting stunting of children (SDG 2). Studies show that poor sanitation is a significant contributor to malnutrition in children3; access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene also contribute to preventing disease (SDG 3) – water-related diseases are among the biggest killers of children under the age of 5, and lead to long-term problems in children’s physical and mental development4.
Improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene will also reduce the domestic burden on women and girls, allowing them time to relax, work and attend school It will empower women and girls – who will be able to attend school and/or work, as well as contribute to their dignity5 (SDG 5).
Water and sanitation infrastructure promotes innovation and industry (SDG 9), improving the health of the work-force providing essential services for work opportunities.
Preventing pollution of water through better sanitation services, particularly through making sure that wastewater is safely managed and disposed of protects water resources and the life within it, contributing to healthier life below water (SDG 14).
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